Apple is set to announce watchOS 26 on June 6, 2025, which will introduce third-party widgets in the Control Center, significantly enhancing the usability of the Apple Watch.

This update marks the first opportunity for Apple Watch users to add widgets from developers, expanding functionality beyond Apple's standard offerings.

The new widget functionality is expected to resemble recent updates made to the iOS 18 Control Center, allowing for greater customization.

These third-party shortcuts could enable users to access specialized workouts, launch streaming apps, and log food and water intake directly from the Control Center.

Due to the limited screen space on the Apple Watch, these widgets will likely display simple data points or serve as basic app launchers, such as showing home temperature or accessing messages.

Previously, watchOS 11 introduced a limited widget system, but users found it lacking compared to the more robust implementations seen in iOS and iPadOS.

The addition of third-party widgets is viewed as a significant improvement for watchOS, which has not seen substantial updates in this area for years.

Users will have the ability to customize the layout of Control Center widgets through the Watch app on their iPhones, making management easier than the current on-watch method.

This potential addition of third-party shortcuts aligns with similar updates in iOS 18, allowing for more user customization across Apple platforms.

While the feature is expected to debut at the upcoming WWDC on June 9, there is a possibility that it may be delayed or modified before its release.

The WWDC 2025 keynote is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern, where Apple will showcase updates across various platforms, including iOS 26 and macOS 26.

As anticipation builds among Apple Watch users, the exact details of the third-party widget feature and its readiness for the watchOS 26 launch remain unclear.